Flotilla Leader for A-Class Destroyers ordered from Swan Hunter, Wallsend on Tyne under the 1927 Programme on 6th March 1928. The
ship was laid down on 20th June 1929 and launched on 8th August 1929 as the first RN ship to be
given this name, which was introduced to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of Navarino in 1827.
Admiral Sir Edward Codrington (1770-1851) who was captain of HMS ORION at the Battle of Trafalgar
had also been in command of the allied Fleet at Navarino. A village in Gloucestershire also has this
name. Build of this destroyer was completed on 4th June 1930 and she later
served in the Mediterranean and
Home Fleets. In 1938 she was refitted after a period in Reserve at Devonport and re-commissioned on
completion in August 1939.

Notes on Flotilla Leaders

This ship was larger than the
others of the Class and had an additional 4.7in gun fitted between the two
funnels. Her bridge structure was larger in order to provide
the additional accommodation required for the Flotilla Staff. Otherwise the
internal arrangements were similar to the other of the A-Class.

Her displacement was 2,012 tons
with an overall length of 323 feet, beam
of 324 feet and draught of 19 ft. Turbine machinery of 34,000 Shaft
Horsepower gave a speed of 37.74 knots on trials In February 1930. Some smaller weapons were fitted for
use against aircraft. The ship had two quadruple 21in torpedo tube
mountings and for attacks on submarines
was fitted with four depth charge Chutes and two Throwers.